$25,000 fine for illegal dumping of used motor oil • DEQ renews warning after 770 gallons of hazardous wastes were dumped at several sites

The Division of Environmental Quality yesterday warned anew the public against illegal dumping of used oil on the island after officials discovered 14 drums each containing 55 gallons of used motor oil at several remote locations around Saipan.

DEQ Director Ike Cabrera said persons found responsible for the illegal dumping of used oil or any hazardous material may face a maximum fine of $25,000 a day for each day of the violation.

Amid its campaign on proper disposal of used oil, the agency received a call alerting them about the presence of 14 drums of used motor oil that are already leaking in the vicinity of As Perdido and Kagman areas in February.

The agency has expressed concern on the potential adverse effects of illegal dumping of used motor oil on the environment, specifically the possible contamination to groundwater and surface water. It may also result to the destruction of vegetation, loss of soil fertility, endanger human health and wildlife.

“We cannot just move or take them to another place because this may just cause more problem to the environment, unless it is handled by a specialized company, ” said Ray Masga, environmental planner of DEQ.

The agency has already approved the operation of PR Trading International, a private company, that will collect and ship it off for recycling. Another firm in the Philippines has expressed willingness to handle the recycling of used motor oil with the absence of a facility in the CNMI.

DEQ has been carrying out educational campaigns to ensure that businesses do not simply throw their used oil anywhere and contaminate the environment. Four seminars on used oil disposal were held for auto shop workers on the island, which started in October 1999.

Mr. Masga said the agency has created a working group with the business sector to solve the problem that threatens the environment. In fact, it is now targeting hotels, garment factories and construction firms, which are mostly using generators in their operation, on this year’s scheduled information drive on proper disposal of used oil.

As a regulatory agency, DEQ’s concern is focused on making sure that the various businesses are following the proper disposal of used oil since the CNMI has no recycling facility.

A study conducted by Ross & Associates in 1993 estimates that businesses here generate an estimated volume of 213,000 to 214,000 gallons of used oil per year. A survey conducted among distributors and wholesalers showed that some 397,200 gallons of virgin oil (motor oil, lubricating oil) are imported per year.